Do You Own A Launch Monitor?

[fjldo1]

I purchased the Mevo+ Pro Package with face impact location 3 months ago. I have used it a handful of times in my back yard. I like the data it is providing so far. I have not brought to the range yet. It also came with the E6 golf simulator software, but haven't had the time to set that up yet.  

I think for the money and input you can receive, this is an excellent option.

[JohnWallis]

No, but I would love to. I'm sure it would be great to really know exactly what's going on and dial everything in distance wise. 

[Ted Tedeschi]

Hoping to get one later this year after I finish the basement. Will be following this thread closely to get a ideas!

[Chris Uggiano]

I own the FlightScope Mevo+. It is my dream to build a “man cave” and be able to hit balls all year round. 

[Alan Scalzi]

I don't have one yet! I use golf pad app while I play.  This gives me yards for all my clubs in live action play. It just like having a caddy with you, as it knows how far you hit clubs and adjust them for weather, elevation to greens ect. To me something is better help than nothing!

[clay078]

I have the Rapsodo MLM2 Pro. The numbers are quite accurate and I love the built in cameras. 

[fixyurdivot]

No I do not have one and doubt I ever will.  That said, the Bushnell Launch Pro seems like the current undisputed champion for most tech, versatility, and price point... and keeps me passing by the bait for a look.

[Rclindsey2]

Foresight GC3 for fitting and PRGR for Stack.

[Bubba1985]

On 4/13/2024 at 8:04 PM, fixyurdivot said:

No I do not have one and doubt I ever will.  That said, the Bushnell Launch Pro seems like the current undisputed champion for most tech, versatility, and price point... and keeps me passing by the bait for a look.

I do have a Bushnell wingman speaker..its no launch monitor but I will tell you from experience that Bushnell is definitely a good brand

[daniel__tg]

I've got the Uneekor Eye XO. It has been the single greatest investment in my golf game so far for practice and improvement at home. Granted, the whole home simulator thing was not cheap and took a bunch of time and research to come up with the right setup, but the improvements in my swing mechanics, swing/ball flight knowledge, and confidence on the course that I've seen in the last year have been far beyond worth it. I've tried a lot of the biggest monitors in the last few years, including Trackman, Fullswing, Garmin R10, GC2/3/Quad, and the Uneekor is surprisingly underrated for its accuracy and price-to-value. It's actually surprising how many people out there seem to be getting home sim setups, and the Uneekor paired with GSPro is probably one of the best combos on the market for the price, features, and accuracy. I see a lot of you mentioning stuff in the $1k-$3k price range, and Uneekor has recently release the Eye-Mini and Eye-Mini Lite that offers a lot of the accuracy and features of the QED and Eye XO at a much lower price.

 

With Uneekor Eye XO, I also have their proprietary slow-mo swing cameras, and Uneekor just released their AI Swing Analysis tool for free (for now). I know how to use my cameras and analyze my swing, but the AI analysis is actually pretty good and picked up a few things I hadn't quite noticed until it brought them up. I'm still working on some fixes, but those changes have immediately fixed the problems I've had lately when I execute them correctly. Regardless, if you're serious about improving your swing, swing cameras are NOT optional and they will make a huge difference in your practice and improvement if you take the time to analyze and make the changes needed,

Another huge feature of the Uneekor monitors over other image-based systems is the slow-mo ball camera. I think so many people vastly underestimate how useful it is to see your ball impact in slow motion. There are so many out there that think they know when they toe/heel/whatever, but having a high-speed ball cam removes all doubts. It also helps explain why a ball is drawing are fading even when your club face and path were perfect for an otherwise straight shot (if you know how the gear effect can affect your flights too). 

I think the general hesitation with people using simulators/launch monitors is that it's not going to be accurate or realistic to what you see on course, but with how good monitors and their algorithms are getting these days, I don't think that could be any less true. Since starting golf about two and a half years ago, I have probably done 90% of my range sessions and practice exclusively on launch monitors indoors. The truth is that I am almost never surprised by how my shots go on course. That being said, I can confirm that maybe 1 in 500 shots are misreads, but far more often than not, a monitor misread is related to a bad contact or really messed up swing haha.

An image-based system is always going to be much better than radar-based like Mevo, Trackman, or Garmin R10 unless you're exclusively using those on an outdoor range. Don't get me wrong, radar launch monitors are great for range practice as well, but flighted and busted up range balls affect a lot of the key metrics you're trying to dial with a launch monitor and renders them almost useless at that point. I strongly recommend investing in a good home setup with at least a net and good hitting mat if you're thinking of going down that road. With an image-based monitor, you also don't have nearly as large of a space requirement as the radar monitors if you want the best accuracy.

 

But what does any of my opinion mean if there aren't concrete results, right? To frame everything, my handicap has gone down from 28 last Spring to 19 right now, and that was with a handful of really good scores (for me, at least) over the winter that didn't count toward my handicap due to the active season. I know 19 handicap isn't that great in comparison to most either, but shaving 9 strokes in just a year feels like a big difference to me. I've done some lessons at Golftec too, so I'm not saying that improvement came only from a launch monitor, but I was wrapping up those lessons around the time I set up my home simulator and the improvements I've seen have really happened and been cemented in the last 6-8 months or so. I also shot my best 9-hole round last week with a 42, so I think I'm on the verge of dropping another handful of strokes on my game soon. Again, most of what has really improved is my ball striking and swing mechanics, and for a 19 handicap, my club speeds and ball distances are well above average. I've gained an average of 45 yards per club by improving my striking and consistency this last year, and the biggest gap in my game right now is definitely short game and chipping since that's not as good on the simulator.

Man, so much more that I could go on about, and I'd be happy to answer any questions anyone has. I'm not certified by anyone or anything, but I would say my extensive use of most launch monitor systems puts me in the realm of "expert" compared to most haha. Thanks for reading if you made it this far lol.

Edited April 15 by daniel__tg

[Jonboy]

I own the PRGR launch monitor. A small reasonably cheap piece of kit 

I originally bought it for using with the speed stick system. I find it pretty accurate. 

[Shg340]

Don’t own one currently but starting to think it would be beneficial. Interested in learning which models perform best outside as my range time is almost exclusively at the club outdoors. 

[MoonDog50]

Swing Caddie SC300i.  Lots of fun to use and have learned a lot about my swing.

Edited April 15 by MoonDog50

[JonMUSC08]

I have the original Rapsodo MLM which is good for the range BUT def wanting to upgrade to the MLM Pro. So many options these days for different scenerios (indoor, outdoor, cheap, expensive, how much data, simulation, etc)

[MDGolfHacker]

On 4/8/2024 at 5:50 AM, TappityTapTap said:

I don't have one yet. Was looking to getting the Garman r10 for myself during Christmas, but my wife found a diamond ring she wanted. Maybe this Christmas will be the year.

Happy wife, happy life

[RomanG]

Having a monitor is crucial to understanding how you swing. Well, having one and understanding the information it has for you to see is the crucial part. Every range session since I started back in October, I've had the Rapsodo MLM with me. This Mobile Launch Monitor allows me the visibility, with the use of its App installed on my phone, to see my weaknesses and strengths. With this compact wonder, I'm able to see my distance (carry, total and even side carry) ball speed, club speed, launch angle, direction, shot shape, apex and smash factor. Using the camera on your phone, it will even record video of your shot to give you the perspective of seeing yourself. There is also an additional membership that offers an array of extra options/features. At home, I use this little giant on my net and it allows me to have a targeted session at home. 

[Hook DeLoft]

I had a Rapsodo MLM2 for a couple of weeks.  Other than the range, the only place I have to use it is in the yard into a net.  I don’t have a basement and I use my garage for the cars. Into the net, I was getting bad numbers, especially with driver.  I have a 7 foot tall net and could not get enough distance between the ball and the net without hitting over the net.  After some research, including joining Rapsodo and Garmin user groups on Facebook, I determined that no radar based system would work in my environment.  I would need to get an optical based system and I’m not willing to spend that much.  Also, a lot of people in the Facebook groups were having a lot of issues with both the Rapsodo and the Garmin. 

[Senior Champ]

I started with a SC200 to obtain general info. I then got the Foresight GC3 hitting into a net in my garage or on the driving range. I like the ball data when trying out different clubs and shafts. I'm in the process of building my indoor hitting room with a retractable impact screen. This will be fun to practice "playing on golf courses" during inclement weather, especially during winter months. I'm sure my golf buddies will be visiting me more often!

[GolferXY]

I had an original FlightScope Mevo but gave it to a buddy when I got my Garmin R10.  

The Mevo had some drawbacks like connectivity issues, limited information available without the premium account, and having to place aluminum dots on the ball in order for the Mevo to be accurate.  The R10 is much simpler to set up and use, is pretty darn accurate, and the integration between numbers and video is seamless.  It also connects much easier than the original Mevo, and doesn't lose its connection as easily or as often.

Unfortunately I don't have room for an indoor practice space in my home so I haven't used to R10 for simulation, but maybe in the future.  That would be a lot of fun.

[Klutzgolfer]

I agree with the radar not detecting driver.  My mevo plus gives me crazy reads in my garage.  When my buddies and and I play we move up to the white tees and play irons only…The crazy thing is our scores match our real course scores.  

[Stevenhp]

I currently don’t own one, but have been considering getting one. The question that I have is, how accurate will the data be when using it at any public range where the balls specifically the toned down range balls and often not in great shape?

[Klutzgolfer]

38 minutes ago, Stevenhp said:

I currently don’t own one, but have been considering getting one. The question that I have is, how accurate will the data be when using it at any public range where the balls specifically the toned down range balls and often not in great shape?

There are definitely spin and yardage differences with a bad ball.  I have the upgraded package that measures path of my swing so I normally only use it at the range to check that. I tend to get a little flat and then come over the top. 

[Just_the_Chip]

I'm still hunting for one. It's not a huge priority to me. I have a Spornia net I set up in my garage, and I think plenty of space behind for the radar systems. I have been deciding between the SC4 and MLM2PRO. From what I've been reading, none really give you shot shape? Meaning if you are slicing a ball, you don't really know it until you are out and on the course because of the lack of side spin data? Can anyone confirm that? I would hate to spend that much money only to find out I'm killing my game. 

My buddy has the R10, it works well enough in his garage, but the killer for me is the driver. If you place your drive behind the ball and give a waggle, the R10 will not register the drive. you have to place the club behind the ball and not move at all. 

[nupezb]

I just purchased an MLM 2 Pro this week, and I'm genuinely enjoying it. I have only used it at my driving range, but I plan to buy a net and mat for backyard use soon.


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[Just_the_Chip]

1 hour ago, nupezb said:

I just purchased an MLM 2 Pro this week, and I'm genuinely enjoying it. I have only used it at my driving range, but I plan to buy a net and mat for backyard use soon.


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Does it give you Left to Right Spin? Meaning Can it show shot shapes? 

[poprocksncoke]

Don't currently have one but have been looking at them lately.  Maybe soon.....

[Bubba1985]

Out of curiosity, has anyone upgraded a launch monitor and want to sell their old one?

[RickM71]

13 hours ago, Just_the_Chip said:

Does it give you Left to Right Spin? Meaning Can it show shot shapes? 

Mlm2pro does give shot shape based on actual measured spin axis, when using the special golf balls. 

Garmin R10 gives a calculated (not measured) side spin, likely using swing path and horizontal ball launch. In my experience, it was sometimes accurate, but frequently off, especially on off center strikes (it can't calculate gear effect) and on bigger slices / hooks. I didn't realize how off it was until I compared it to a unit that measures actual side spin. 

[RickM71]

On 4/15/2024 at 6:07 PM, Stevenhp said:

I currently don’t own one, but have been considering getting one. The question that I have is, how accurate will the data be when using it at any public range where the balls specifically the toned down range balls and often not in great shape?

Foresight posted something on this:

https://help.foresightsports.com/hc/en-us/articles/4402976551443-Range-Ball-Data-vs-Premium-Golf-Ball-Data

Interestingly, there was very little difference on mid irons. Wedges had much less spin. Drivers had a bit less ball speed. 

But this probably only holds true for decent range balls. 

Some launch monitor apps have an option to select for range balls but I've personally not tried it yet. I will be doing that soon though. 

 

[nupezb]

Does it give you Left to Right Spin? Meaning Can it show shot shapes? 

Yes, you can shot shape, and it does measure spin. I have only used it on the range, and I have been very impressed with how well it tracks the ball and the accuracy of the distance.


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